Extendable and retractable bumper protection apparatus

Abstract

There is provided apparatus for protection of a vehicle from damage by other vehicles attempting to undesirably encroach to the front or rear of the vehicle. The apparatus includes extendable and retractable bumper portions that when extended form a safety enclosure for activities at the rear of a vehicle. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring encroaching objects and may be electrically or hydraulically operated, either automatically or upon demand.

1 . Vehicle bumper safety apparatus comprising:
 a) at least one bumper portion having means for extension from and retraction to a vehicle;   b) said at least one bumper portion including sensor means for detection of close proximity objects;   c) converter means for converting signals from said sensor means to responsive electronics; and   d) a microcontroller for processing said responsive electronics to produce signals for activating said means for extension or retraction of said at least one bumper portion depending on the signals from said sensor means.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  including a pair of bumper portions extendable from said vehicle to define a protected work space. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said pair of bumper portions are displaced laterally along the rear of said vehicle for extension therefrom. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said pair of bumper portions are located one on each end of the rear bumper of said vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said pair of bumper portions are configured and arranged to form a part of said rear bumper. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said means for extension from and retraction to a vehicle include locking means for locking said bumper portions in selected extension positions. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said bumper portions include shock absorber means for compression in response to impact and said microcontroller includes means for automatically unlocking said locking means in response to predetermined impact. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said sensor means detects the proximity of said objects and said controller microcontroller includes means for automatically extending and retracting said bumper portions in response to predetermined signals from said sensor means. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said microcontroller includes alert means for informing the operator of said vehicle of the extension status of said bumper portions and said safety apparatus includes means for manually extending and retracting said bumper portions. 
   
   
       10 . A vehicle safety mechanism comprising:
 a) bumper means configured for extension and retraction from said vehicle;   b) sensor means in said bumper means for monitoring objects in immediate proximity of said vehicle; and   c) a microcontroller for processing signals from said sensor means for controlling the extension and retraction of said bumper means.   
   
   
       11 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 10  wherein said bumper means includes bumper portions extendable from said vehicle to define a protected work space. 
   
   
       12 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 11  wherein said microcontroller includes means for automatically extending and retracting said bumper portions in response to predetermined signals from said sensor means. 
   
   
       13 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 11  wherein said mechanism includes alert means for informing the operator of said vehicle of the extension status of said bumper portions. 
   
   
       14 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 13  wherein said microcontroller includes manually switched means for extending and retracting said bumper portions. 
   
   
       15 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 10  wherein said mechanism includes locking means for locking said bumper portions in selected extension positions and said bumper portions include shock absorber means for compression in response to impact and said microcontroller includes means for automatically unlocking said locking means in response to predetermined impact. 
   
   
       16 . Vehicular safety apparatus comprising:
 sensor means for monitoring objects in immediate proximity of at least one end of a vehicle;   bumper means mounted on s aid at least one end of a vehicle configured for extension and retraction from said vehicle; and   a controller for processing signals from said sensor means for conformance with pre-selected requirements and activating said bumper means for extension or retraction from said vehicle;   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said bumper means include two bumper portions that are extendable to define a protected work space. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  including locking means for locking said bumper portions in selected extension positions, said bumper portions include shock absorber means for compression in response to impact, and said controller includes means for automatically unlocking said locking means in response to predetermined impact. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said sensor means senses occupation of said work place and upon impact said controller automatically locks said bumper portions to sufficiently maintain said protected work place. 
   
   
       20 . The vehicle safety mechanism of  claim 11  wherein said mechanism includes means for alerting the operator of said vehicle of the extension status of said bumper portions and said microcontroller includes manually switched means for extending and retracting said bumper portions.